Shelby County Schools Superintendent Randy Fuller sent out an e-mail Thursday to parents that listed ways to protect students from the swine flu and that discusses the system’s response to the threat of an outbreak.

“I am sure many of you have seen media reports of the spread of swine flu across America. We have taken measures to heighten our awareness along with principals and staff to be as observant and knowledgeable as possible,” Fuller wrote.

The Alabama Department of Public Health announced the state’s first probable cases of swine flu Wednesday. Those likely infections were two elementary school students in Madison County.

So far, no cases of swine flu have been reported in Shelby County or any other Alabama county.

Fuller said the school system is in close contact with the Shelby County Public Health Department and the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency.

“Our school nurses are staying informed and monitoring the situation every day. The Shelby County school system has a pandemic flu plan in place with defined responsibilities in the event our state is affected,” Fuller wrote. “In the meantime, we will monitor attendance records and continue to educate and remind students of good hygiene practices.”

Fuller also listed way children and families can protect themselves from any type of flu. These include:

-Keeping sick children at home. Parents who are sick should also stay home from work.

-Teaching children to wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.

-Teaching children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow.

-Staying at least three feet away from people who are sick.

“Let me assure you that the health and well-being of our students is our top priority, and we are doing everything possible to address the situation,” Fuller wrote.